Adidas, Wizards guard John Wall unveil J Wall 2 signature sneaker

Wizards guard John Wall wanted his second signature sneaker from adidas to look bold off the court. Of course, he needed plenty of personal style to shine on the court as well.

“The shoe really shows what I love about fashion with loud colors and bold designs,” Wall says. “Every part of the shoe is made to help how I play the game, but it’s also made for fans who want to stand out on the court and represent with style off it.”

The new J Wall 2 home in white and gray offers digital camouflage print, while the away blue has animal print textures. Key design details include a deep flex groove along the center of the traction pattern underfoot and a 3D molded “topline” on the upper for increased stability.

That topline also serves as a key design point, contrasting the prints high on the upper with more reserved approach closer to the sole.

“We introduced new ways of pairing textures and patterns to reflect his unique sense of style but still focused on building a shoe geared for one of the fastest in the game,” says Brian Foresta, vice president of global design for adidas Basketball, on the shoes that will release on Oct. 31 (home) and Nov. 6 (away).

Expect to find a few personal touches that mirror the J Wall 1. The Wizard player’s personal logo adorns the side of the shoe, while the JSW logo—a nod to Wall’s late father—plays on the tongue liner.

Four other distinct personal messages appear on the shoe. "Mama’s Boy" ties to his relationship with his mother, Frances Pulley; "Five Deep" is the name of his group of childhood friends; "Great Wall" was inspired by his tattoo and personal goals; and "Raleigh & 919" pay homage to his hometown and area code in North Carolina.

The underside of the J Wall 2 tells some of this story, with an oversized logo, the words "Great Wall" and the adidas three stripes extending from the back of the shoe all the way underneath.

Now the captain of the Wizards, Wall says he’s grown as a player and a leader. He wants the boldness of his signature sneaker to follow that trend.

Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and gear for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.